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Montenegro: Rival Presidential Factions To Meet

Podgorica, 14 January 1997 (RFE/RL) - Two rival Montenegrin factions are due to hold talks today in the capital Podgorica to attempt to lower tension before tomorrow's scheduled transfer of presidential power. The talks were annouced late yesterday by outgoing President Momir Bulatovic. At Bulatovic's urging, his supporters took to the streets in protest during the past two days. He claims fraud in last October's elections won by Milo Djukanovic and refuses to hand over power.

Bulatovic said today's talks will group representatives of his Democratic Party of Socialists and supporters loyal to Djukanovic. Djukanovic, a reform-minded opponent of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, is due to be sworn in tomorrow at Cetinje, the ancient capital of Montenegro.

Bulatovic's announcement on today's talks came after a meeting late yesterday with Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, who travelled from Belgrade to meet both rivals. Kontic, a Montenegrin, has so far remained neutral in the face of the political crisis rocking the junior partner in the Yugoslav federation.